2004 Chevrolet Silverado Brake Service (ONLINE REPAIR MANUALS)

Master Cylinder

Some vehicles use a conventional tandem master cylinder with two hydraulic pistons operating in-line. The primary piston controls the front brake system and the secondary piston controls the rear brake system.

Other models use a master cylinder that operates the same as the conventional master cylinder, but also incorporates a quick take-up feature in the rear chamber to reduce excessive pedal travel which may result from increased fluid displacement required to move the low drag caliper piston out against the rotor.

The quick take-up uses a spring-loaded ball check val...

The caliper mounts in a way that allows the caliper to move laterally inboard as the brake pads wear. The caliper housing is a one piece casting with the inboard side containing the piston bore. The piston seal also acts as a return mechanism for the piston.

Applying the brake pedal causes the hydraulic pressure that moves the caliper piston. The piston then forces the inboard brake pad against the inboard braking surface of the rotor. Increasing the force against...

Manual Bleed

• If vehicle is equipped with power brakes, remove vacuum reserve by applying brakes several times with engine off.
• Fill master cylinder reservoirs with suitable brake fluid. Ensure to always keep master cylinder reservoirs at least half full during entire bleeding procedure.
• If master cylinder is suspected to have air in bore, it must be bled first. To bleed master cylinder, proceed as follows:
• Disconnect forward brake pipe connection at master cylinder.
• Allow brake fluid to fill master cylinder bore until it begins to flow from forward pipe connector port.
• Connect and ...

Delco Master Cylinder

When performing the following procedures, refer to Figs. and , noting that the composite reservoir may vary in design.

Disassemble

• Remove master cylinder from vehicle.
• Remove reservoir cover and diaphragm. Discard old brake fluid in reservoir.
• Inspect cover and diaphragm. Replace if cut, cracked or deformed.
• Remove fluid level switch and proportioning valve assembly, if equipped.
• Depress primary piston and remove lock ring.
• Plug primary fluid outlet (outlet nearest to cowl when master cylinder is installed), then apply compressed air into secondary fluid outlet ...

In order to properly service power brake systems, a thorough understanding of the various power assist systems is required. These systems provide a mechanical assist, acting to increase the force applied to the master cylinder piston by the driver while decreasing the effort required to obtain acceptable stopping performance. Two basic types of power assist mechanisms are used: vacuum assist diaphragm assemblies which use engine vacuum and in some cases vacuum from an external vacuum pump, and hydraulic assist assemblies which use hydraulic pressure developed by an external pump (us...

• Raise and support vehicle, then remove wheel and tire assemblies.
• Compress caliper pistons until they bottom in bores using suitable clamp.
• Remove calip...